18 months!

Busy, busy, busy. Those are the first words that come to mind when I think of Isaiah at this age. I laugh at how active he is, he doesn't sit still! He wants to be held a lot, but once he's in your arms he's not content just being held, he wants to be played with and tickled and thrown in the air. Just given ATTENTION! His words are very few right now so I think this causes a lot of frustration. He still uses his signs, but those are also so few compared to what he wants to say. We've been working on having him say "help" and it seems to be "helping"! We're working on having him calm down when he starts crying out of frustration telling him that as soon as he does he can have this or that. I'm amazed at his ability to do this. He gets a time out for doing naughty things like biting his sister and hitting things when he's mad. When he's done, we explain why he was in a timeout and he gives us a hug and kiss to say sorry, so sweet! He laughs with ease and that melts my heart. For the most part he does play really well with Ashley and lets her "boss" him around. When he's done though, watch out, he'll let her know! She's doesn't let him play on his own very often, she likes to be doing whatever he is and he gets tired of this quickly. I think it's a good thing that they're seperated during the day at daycare because then they're excited to see and play together when we get home. Lately, I've had to keep a close eye on Isaiah and when he's quiet I get really worried. Usually I'll ask Ashley what he's up to if I'm not in the room, but when she doesn't know where he is then I get really worried! The other day I caught him dipping his toothbrush in the toilet bowl and then putting it in his mouth to brush his teeth! Then later that afternoon I saw him bending down to lap up water from Brody's bowl. He is a boy 100%! He's starting to get the running down, but sometimes his little body looks like it's doing so much work and not going anywhere. I try not to let him see, but this cracks me up! He gets startled easily by loud noises (which also makes me laugh) because his reaction is so funny. His curiosity gets him into trouble with this one! He's still a really good sleeper, something I prayed for when he was 4 months old and I was sleep training. He takes 2-3 hour naps, goes to bed at 7pm and wakes up between 7 and 8am. His vocabulary so far is Mama (although it's a bit demanding and forceful when he says it), Papa (which he says in really sweet soft voice, isn't it supposed to be opposite?), hot, gumpaa, apple, nana (banana), wawa(water), nigh-nigh, buhbye, Asha (Ashley), car, vroom vroom, no, and roar! He also has been telling us when he poops in his diaper and occasionaly staying dry through the night. Maybe he'll be ready for potty training soon... although I'm not holding my breath. He doesn't do this as often, but for a long time he would lean in for a kiss when you were talking to someone. A way of getting attention I guess, but he would just wait in front of your face until you noticed and kissed him back. He would do this with Brian and I and even my Dad a couple of time, it was hilarious! I love this stage and I love you Isaiah Andrew! His stats are HC 25%, height 33 in (80%), and weight 24lb (20%).

Fam Jam 2011

Brian, Gramps, Uncle Dallas, Aunt Becki, Isaiah, Gram, Mama, Ashley (not wanting to take the picture), Grammy, and Grandpa. (not pictured, Uncle Dan. He had to go back early to work)


We finally got sun for 6th annual Fam Jam! We had to move it to Prineville Reservoir to get it, but well worth the 4-5 hour drive that we all had to make. During the day it was in the mid 80's, perfect for spending a lot of time out on the water tubing and skiing, mama even got up on the wake board (it's been a long time!) We set up camp down at the beach and had the boat out in the water for anyone who wanted to go. The kids even went tubing and did great! I was really proud of Ashley since she's normally so hesitant about this stuff. We pointed out all the other tubers on the water and she waved to them, getting excited for her turn. We asked her if she was ready and out she went with Brian. Just hopped on the tube, waving the whole time. Isaiah did the same, no tears, just as happy as can be out there waving his little hand. At night it got down to the mid 40's, perfect for a good nights sleep. I was grateful for this because naps were a challenge since it got so hot in the camper. Isaiah did catch a few z's out on the boat, which helped a little. Only a few meltdowns all weekend... not too bad considering. I think all the distraction helped! We split meals again (this always works out great) and enjoyed a lot of good food. We had shish kabobs, steak, BLT's, craw fish tails and salmon, breakfast in the dutch oven, and yogurt parfaits. Yummy! It was such a great trip. We scoped out campsites for next year a little closer to the water. We'll see if Brian can work his magic (I think they go fast). Now that we've found this campground, I think we'll be coming back year after year.


This year I had a banner made. We'll hang it at Fam Jam every year and it will be our background for our annual picture. I hope we'll continue this tradition as our kids grow older. It will be fun to look back at the changes our family makes over the years.

Isaiah evidently makes a good pillow when he's sleeping. When he's awake Brody wants nothing to do with him.

Isaiah loved sitting in this spot all weekend, he was a mess with all the dust







Uncle Dan and Mama

Gramps and Mackenzie



"CHEEEEESE"

Isaiah was wiped out from all the fresh air, sun and no nap! He fell asleep as soon as we got going.

Ashley and Papa on the tube. Her face doesn't show it in the picture, but she had a blast.

Papa and Isaiah on the tube

Can you see him waving?

Checking out Ashley's "catch", she set up the trap earlier in the day. These chipmunks were everywhere and not afraid to come right up to the campsite. I think they get well fed with all the food left out around there.

Poor guy... not so smart though. He went running right back to oour camp after we freed him.

The kids loved this lawn mower that grandpa got for Isaiah.


Gram and her kids.

Becki and Dallas.

check out Sammy in route to shore.

Lunch time at the beach.



Aunt Becki taking her turn on the tube

The guys completing their makeshift golf course.

Buddies

Shades

Baby Sawyer

Danielle and Hani had their baby boy, Sawyer, on the 24th of June, so we went up to Seattle last weekend to meet him. He was 9lb 6oz, but still looks like a tiny little thing. He is the best baby and Danielle and Hani are naturals. I fell in love with Sawyer when he snuggled in and slept on me a few hours each day while the kids were taking their nap. Ashley was in awe of this little guy and Isaiah was just a little bit jealous when he saw me holding him. Jo, Steve and Nathan came over Sat and Sun for dinner and to spend time with all of us. It was great to see them as well, I just can't believe we all have kids now!



Hani skyped with his parents while we were there, so they could see all the kids. I'm not sure why, but Ashley is kissing the back on Isaiah's hand. It's pretty cute how affectionate she is towards him.





Mother Hen rounding up the troops.

Father's Day

Brian somehow got put on call two years in a row on Father's Day. So, while he was working in the morning I took the kids to Grandpa's house for breakfast to spend Father's Day morning with my pops. Uncle Dan came over and Grammy made a delicious spread. We headed back home to have lunch with Brian and put the kids down for a nap. After nap Brian decided to have Ashley help him work on the car. I felt bad that he was doing this on Father's Day, but he insisted that's what he wanted to be doing. It was cute to see Ashley so interested and willing to help, good father/daughter time! For dinner we packed up and had a picnic at Carver Park. I forgot to pack his gift, so we gave him a Husky flag the next day. Now he can fly the UW glad proudly come football season.

Cookin' with Papa

Even Isaiah's learning to cook with Papa

Becki's Graduation

We went down to Coos Bay last weekend for Becki's graduation! Unfortunately Brian had to work on Friday so we missed the actual ceremony, but we got to celebrate with a BBQ at Laverne Park, a place Brian and Becki used to go every year for a coast guard family picnic and camping. They both have a lot of memories at this park and it was so fun to hear about all of them. The kids loved playing at the playground and walking down to the creek nearby. Dallas cooked up some delicious lamb kabobs, chicken and pork and everyone brought drinks and sides. It was a gorgeous day, so we just soaked it up and enjoyed being all together. That night the grandparents watched the kids back at the hotel, while Becki and Dallas took us out to their favorite bar in town. We had a great time especially since we rarely get to hang out with the both of them. Sunday morning we went out to breakfast to celebrate Father's Day with Steve and headed home after that.

We're so proud of you Becki! We know how hard you've worked to accomplish this.





Future graduate

Heading for the park. Gotta have the shades.

He LOVES the swings

Gram and Gramps Timm













Pushing the merry-go-round like he saw the big kids doing earlier.

The boys... Dallas, Grandpa Timm, Isaiah, and Brian.

Becki, Dallas, Brian and I at the bar Saturday night.

Sorry ahead of time for the story I'm about to tell, but I couldn't leave it out. We're at the restaurant celebrating Father's Day with Steve and Isaiah has a blow-out. We were just finishing up breakfast and since there was no changing table in the restaurant I decided to wait until we were all done and go out to the car to change him. Brian goes to pick him up and poop is all up his back. (both kids caught a virus and this kid got the runs) He had to go into the bathroom to give him a bath and since I didn't bring a change of clothes (I almost didn't bring an extra diaper) he put his sweatshirt on him. A little big, but looks so cute. To say the least it wasn't a fun ride home with two sick kiddos, but we got better after a few days and only have fond memories of the weekend!